SPEED AT DAYTONA

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1932, Page 2

SPEED AT DAYTONA

FEATS OF THE BLUEBIRD CAMPBELL’S ‘ GREAT DASH. NEARLY 254 MILES AN HOUR. Sir Malcolm Campbell set up a new land speed record of 253.968 miles an hour in bis famous racing car, the Bluebird, on Daytona Beach on February fa-1. He thus beat his own worlds record or 245.736 miles an hour, which he established on the same beach last year. Sir Malcolm, having brought the Bluebird on to the speedway in the presence of about 10,000 spectators, announced Ins intention of making a practice run, and lie set out southward, passing the timing Lower at a high speed. On completing the 12-mile coursq, he turned and came back at a terrific rate. Without stopping to change tyres the motorist set off again, and it then became known that his previous return run was an actual record, in which he had attained a speed of 267.459 miles an hour. He roared back through the measured mile, the Bluebird glistening in the bright sunlight. DETAILS OF THE RUNS. The achievement, as officially recorded, was as follows:— First Run (Southwards): 267.459 miles an hour. Time, 13.405ec. Second run (northwards): 241.773 miles an hour. Time, 14.895ec. Average speed, 253.968 miles an hour. Average time, 1'4.1755ec. The average speed was reached by adding the times for both runs and then using the average time to calculate the speed. .There was a thrill during the first run, when on one occasion Sir Malcolm ran close to the water’s edge, where the ocean dipped in on to the course. He was not satisfied with his record. “Really I am awfully disappointed that I have not set up a new record at 265 miles an hour. The beach was good. I hit one wet spot that showered water over the course. The car behaved wonderfully well through both runs. “I injured my right hand slightly owing to the strain of steering at such a terrific speed. Moreover, conditions, though good, were not perfect, as the beach was heavy, and the wind oti the second run slowed me up considerably.’ WATER ON THE SANDS. In a telephone conversation with the motor correspondent of the Daily Herald in London, Sir Malcolm said: “Conditions were not too good. There was a 40-mile-an-hour wind blowing, and this slowed me up considerably in one direction. In fact, it seemed to blow the car all over the place. It was one of the roughest rides I have ever had, and that is why 1 think, given good conditions, Bluebird will go much faster.” Sir Malcolm’s attempt next day to improve on his land speed record of 253 miles an hour had to be postponed until the following day, February 26, owing to rain and poor visibility. When the rain ceased temporarily he said that he was going to take the Bluebird to the starting point. The Mayor of Daytona, however, put his foot down. “I will not permit you to take the car on to the beach,” lie'said. “It is absolutely impossible for you to make a trial run to-day. The rain has only temporarily slackened.” Sir Malcolm vigorously insisted, however, that visibility was usually good after rain, but the Mayor was adamant, and said that if Sir Malcolm insisted on taking the car out he would order the timing apparatus to be pulled up. That settled the argument, and Sir Malcolm had to wait until next day. FAILURE TO IMPROVE RECORD. Sir Malcolm Campbell failed next day to improve on his mile record, but he put up the following three new world’s records: Five miles, 242.751 miles per hour; five kilometres, 245.438 miles per hour; ten kilometres, 238.669 miles per hour.

Through streets lined with cheering crowds and on the beach, where about 10,000 people had assembled, the Bluebird was the object of admiration. The conditions were ideal except for a fresh north-easter, which whipped down the sands, blowing parallel with the sea. The velocity of the w'ind was measured, and was found to be 40 miles an hour, but Sir Malcolm had made up his mind, and the mechanics, after giving their charge a final look over, changed the tyres and so made the Bluebird ready for her second adventure of the week.

Crowds leapt to their feet as the car flashed by the grandstand in the first southward run at a terrific speed and disappeared like‘a streak into the hazy distance. On the first run, with the wind he did 257.142 miles per hour; on the second run 246.75 miles per hour. “My tachometer on the southward run seemed to indicate a speed nearer 270 miles an hour,” said Sir Malcolm when he learned his speed from the officials, but he was consoled when he learnt of his live mile and five and ten kilometre records, and said smilingly, “No more racing to-day, boys.” After he had driven the car to the grandstand he discussed the attempt with the Mayor, and officials and said: “There was not much to it. 1 just had to keep a pretty tight hold. It was a bit more difficult than on Wednesday.” “A BIT OF A FIGHT.” “What’s your reaction to your run today was the first question Campbell was asked. ‘‘My dear chap,” he replied, “I had no reaction. I had a bit of a fight with the car to-day. My arms ache terribly. That wind when I was going north was mighty strong. I just could not make the time.” He said that he could not make another attempt on the record in consequence of the plans to send Bluebird back to England the next day. “Well,” he remarked philosophically, “I am going back with a record or two, anyway. I might have put up some real marks if the wind had not been against me on both days.”